Young followed that report by saying if Westbrook is cleared to play after four weeks, he "could be back for the opener against the Warriors on Oct. 16, but obviously, there will be no rush for him to play."

The 2017 MVP played in 80 games in 2017-18, averaging a triple-double for the second consecutive season with 25.4 points, 10.3 assists and 10.1 rebounds per game. The Thunder went 47-33 in games with Westbrook and 1-1 in games without their star guard.

In Westbrook's absence, star forward Paul George stepped up as the lead scorer averaging 26.5 points, five assists and five boards over that two-game stretch.